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Since Mondays are just the worst, we here at Zap2it
have decided to give your week a much-needed wake-up call with 10 TV
teasers — just to remind you that when the work day is over, your DVR
waits to welcome you home.

For this week’s Monday Kickstart,
we’ve got scoop on the season premieres of “CSI: NY” and “Blue Bloods,” plus some hints at the “Fringe” future and a new “Vampire Diaries” teacher in town. (R.I.P. Alaric.)

“The Vampire Diaries”: This season, the Mystic Falls gang will graduate
from high school. In order to smooth the transition, viewers are going
to start spending some time at the local university early in the season
— remember, the unnamed school that Jenna attended while writing her
thesis? Expect to meet a new recurring character, Professor Shane, who knows a
thing or two about the paranormal. We’re hearing that initially, he’ll work quite closely with Bonnie. The story plays on some threads spun
in an early Season 2 episode, “Bad Moon Rising.”

“Hawaii Five-0”: It looks like there may be even more to the story of McGarrett’s mother — who was apparently on the other side of the door at the end of last season’s finale — than we realized. The show is looking for a guest star for episode 2 to play a character named Channing, whom McGarrett’s girlfriend Catherine chats up at a bar in hopes of getting a little info about his mom. Oh, and did we mention Channing also an agent with the witness protection program?

“Baby Daddy”: When Greg Grunberg shows up as Ben and Danny’s dad, he’ll reveal a life-changing secret as monumental as Emma’s arrival in Ben’s life. “My dad shows up, which is actually kind of funny because his name in the show is Ray and my dad in real life is named Ray,” says Jean-Luc Bilodeau, who plays the ABC Family sitcom’s titular father. “He’s got a really funny entrance, and he tells us something that we didn’t know about him. It’s a pretty big life change, and it’s funny to see the whole family kind of accept it.”

“Psych”: In an upcoming scene, Chief Vick, Juliet, and two other ladies have a bit of a girls’ night out — and, six shots of tequila later, they’re playing “I Never.” We’ll learn a whole lot about Vick, including her husband’s elusive first name and details from an accidental college hook-up.

“CSI: NY”: The Season 9 premiere will introduce us to Frank, a father of two and Captain of the New York City Fire Department — who also happens to be a very close friend of Mac’s. Frank will be in major danger when an arsonist’s latest crime turns deadly. The fire seems to be tied to an already convicted arsonist, a troubled twenty-something woman who is disappointed by her former mentor’s disinterest in lighting illegal blazes.“The Mentalist”: The FBI is getting involved… and staying involved. We’re going to meet three feds who will recur significantly throughout the season. First up is FBI Agent Gabe Mancini, a forty-something guy with a strong moral compass but, unfortunately, a quick temper. His partner is Reede Smith — quiet and smart, but young and disheveled. They’re joined by the regional director of the FBI, Agent Alexa Schultz, described as “a ferocious alpha female.” Rawr.

“Fringe”: In the first episode, the now-returned “missing” piece of Walter’s brain will be addressed — but just because his brain is intact doesn’t mean we’ll miss out on Walterisms. “I can’t guarantee you that he’s going to be fully there, which is going to be a big obstacle for the Fringe team to get through starting in the very very first episode,” Jasika Nicole told Zap2it at San Diego Comic-Con. “I can’t say that the relationship is gonna be much different, but it’s definitely gonna be more difficult because at this point he is the only person that they can go to in this future world in 2036, and they have to be all secretive about it because they’re not supposed to be out of the amber. They’re not supposed to be around. They’re really stealth, on the low, crawling around, hiding behind buildings, and trying to get through secret places.”

“Blue Bloods”: The Season 3 premiere will introduce one of the most formidable villains we’ve seen yet — John Benjamin, a sociopath who lost his family after Danny arrested him. Benjamin relentlessly seeks vengeance on Danny, using Jackie as bait. This incident has the potential to profoundly impact Danny and Jackie’s relationship as the season continues.

“The L.A. Complex”: You’ll be floored when you see the physical damage Kaldrick inflicted on Tariq — but it’s nothing compared to the emotional ramifications that Kaldrick’s assault will have on both men. By the end of the second episode, both of their lives will have changed drastically.

“Teen Wolf”: There’s a moment in tonight’s (awesome!) episode when you might think that Stiles has developed some sort of magical power — but Dylan O’Brien assures us that’s not the case. Stiles is still just a regular kid. He does get to have a fun heroic moment, though it’s nothing compared to Derek’s actions in a moment of truth.